2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched, but a dated book., January 7, 2009
I myself am not a Freemason and haven't read extensively into this society, so I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this work. But what I can say, is that Knight has succeeded in his endeavour of providing an unbiased study into freemasonry.
Though originally published in 1983, the Brotherhood is still a relevant study giving a limited study into the workings and ethics of freemasonry up until the publication date.
The book has been divided into six sections, the main ones deal with how Free Masonry affects the police, the judicial system, politics and the alleged KGB connection.
Knight, through his Freemasonry contacts, shows how Freemasonry adversely affects the workings of the police and the judicial system so that things like promotions are clearly biased against non freemasons. Evidence of cover-ups, and even fraud, by freemasons do occur, but Knight is quick to state that this is quite often perpetrated by people who just happened to be freemasons, rather than it happening because of Freemasonry.
But on the other side of the coin Knight also quotes other Freemasons who assert that they honestly have never witnessed such things (though they would say that!). It is evident from Knights research of both sides of his thesis, that such preferential treatment is endemic, with such ill effects of Freemasonry often being absent in different locales.
Night's chapter on the KGB connection is quite interesting. Knight states that any foreign intelligence agency would be daft NOT to instruct spies to join a Freemasonry society. This is because if one is a Freemason then the chances of promotion to higher ranks is almost always greater. Night even alleges that this has actually happened in Britain's intelligence service. Night alleges that Rodger Hollis, director general of MI5 for 30 years, was himself a Russian spy, and the evidence that Night tables is quite convincing.
Overall this is quite a good book, well written and researched, it provides an unbiased account of Freemasonry up until 1983. Due to the fact that 'The Brotherhood' is over 25 years old one would rightly question it's relevency to Freemasonry today. So the only thing that I am marking against it is it's old age. Though I suppose if one is going to read further into the subject, age is irrelevant in this case.
Four stars.
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